JAZZ DANCE HISTORY

ORIGINS OF JAZZ DANCE

People of African and Caribbean decent, performed dances that represented different cycles of life including; birth, puberty, marriage, and death.

Africans were brought into America as slaves and were subjected to the restriction on a European dominated culture.

Because of the European dominated culture, dance was therefore regulated into a form of socialization and entertainment instead of religious rituals.

Americans realized they could relate themselves to certain characteristics of Africans in the 19th Century. This led to the rise of minstrel shows.

THE ROARING 20’S AND THE 1930’S

The beginning of the Jazz Age. Popular dance steps were introduced

such as; the “Jitterbug”, the “Boogie-Woogie”, and the “Lindy Hop”.

Singing and dancing to songs on the radio became popular throughout this era.

Broadway producers saw an opportunity to hire dancers and have them appear in shows.

The 1940’s WWII Era

WWII brought down the popularity of social jazz dance.

Jazz dance technique was becoming more professionalized with influences such as ballet and modern.

New music styles were introduced such as rockabilly, R&B, and classic rock n’ roll.

Young kids began reviving and/or introducing new dances.

Media outlets such as American Bandstand promoted these latest styles.

1950’S ERA Jazz dance was incorporated into

stories used in musicals and staged shows such as:

“Singin’ in the Rain”, choreographed by Gene Kelly in 1952 starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds.

Original Broadway Production of “West Side Story”, choreographed by Jerome Robbins in 1957 then turned into a film in 1961 starring Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer.

1960’s Era The British Invasion drastically

disrupted dance music. American Renaissance trends such as soul, folk rock, and other West Coast styles took over the music and dance industries.

Dance music was forced underground in the mid 60’s and later re-popularized in the 1970’s.

CHARACTERISTICS OF JAZZ DANCE Isolations

Syncopation

Rhythm

Use of the pelvis

Bent knees

Rotations

Opposition of body parts

AND SO…